What Is Chiriyakhana About?
The premise of Chiriyakhana in 263 words, with nothing given away. The full story follows below.
In the bustling heart of Kolkata, the legendary sleuth Byomkesh Bakshi is summoned by a new client whose request is as curious as it is personal. The client, a retired judge turned philanthropist, seeks answers about a forgotten Bengali film song and the mysterious actress behind it. Accompanying Byomkesh is his trusted companion, the observant writer Ajit, whose steady narration balances Byomkesh’s razor‑sharp intuition.
The meeting takes place at the sprawling Golap Colony, a verdant nursery that doubles as a sanctuary for society’s displaced souls. Its owner, Dr. Nishanath Sen, has turned the vast grounds—filled with dairy cows, poultry, and orchid houses—into a refuge for those whose pasts are riddled with regret. Amid the fragrant corridors and eclectic residents, the colony feels like a living mosaic, each character hinting at hidden layers beneath the surface.
When the tranquil routine of the nursery is shattered, Byomkesh and Ajit step into a maze of whispers and half‑remembered melodies. Their investigative dance blends meticulous observation with a touch of theatrical disguise, allowing them to slip unnoticed among the garden’s caretakers and guests. The tone is unmistakably classic: a cerebral puzzle set against a backdrop of lush greenery, old cinema nostalgia, and the lingering echo of unsolved questions.
The film’s atmosphere hinges on the juxtaposition of serenity and suspicion, inviting the audience to linger over every rustle of leaves and distant notes of a forgotten song. As Byomkesh pieces together fragments of the past, the story promises a compelling exploration of identity, redemption, and the quiet darkness that can thrive even in the most cultivated of gardens.
What Happens in Chiriyakhana?
The complete story of Chiriyakhana, from the first scene to the last, in 678 words (about 3 minutes). Spoilers throughout. Names in the text link to 8 cast member pages.
Spoilers ahead
Byomkesh Bakshi uttam-kumar and his close partner, the writer Ajit Bandyopadhyay, are chatting when a new client arrives. Nishanath Sen, a middle-aged ex-judge and a wealthy merchant, seeks Byomkesh for a peculiar case: uncovering the truth behind an old Bengali film song, Bhalobasar tumi ki jano, and the actress who sang it, Sunayana. Sen suspects she is hidden somewhere inside his enormous nursery, Golap Colony, living under a fake identity. As a judge, Sen once presided over many cases and hanged at least twenty people; in retirement, however, moral regrets drive him to shelter homeless individuals who carry troubled histories. Byomkesh listens carefully, accepts the challenge, and is paid an advance to begin the inquiry at the nursery.
During his preliminary research, Byomkesh meets a Bengali film authority, but it’s the tale of Murari, the son of the film’s producer, that casts the first shadow. Murari was intimate with Sunayana, and soon afterward he was murdered in his own room. A substantial amount of cash and gold ornaments vanished from the room, and Sunayana became a key suspect, though she vanished before the case could be resolved. The expert provides the essential background on the cast and the film, and promises to assist the detective as the mystery unfolds.
The next day, Byomkesh and Ajit proceed to Sen’s bungalow and the Golap Colony, where Sen has gathered a diverse group of residents. To blend in, Byomkesh disguises himself as a Japanese horticulturist named Okakura, while Ajit acts as his Indian assistant. Sen walks them through the nursery’s workings—dairy, poultry, and an orchid house—and introduces every resident, whom Byomkesh photographs for later comparison. Before long, Sen telephones for another visit, but the call ends abruptly when Sen is bludgeoned to death with a blunt instrument. A police inspector arrives the following day, seeking help with the murder, unaware of Byomkesh’s existing ties to Sen. With the Inspector’s arrival, Byomkesh and Ajit return to Golap Colony to interrogate all the occupants, knowing that the case is clogged with multiple motives and potential culprits.
As the investigation deepens, a second murder occurs in the colony: Panu, a deaf-mute witness, is killed in the same manner as Sen, reinforcing the sense that a single mastermind is at work. To crack the case, Byomkesh adopts a methodical approach, recording interrogations with a voice recorder and meticulously questioning suspects including Bijoy (Sen’s nephew), Rasiklal (a powerful figure in the colony), Mushkil Mia, Brajo Das (an employee of Sen), [NepaI Gupta], Dr. Das (a physician and sitarist), and all the women connected to the case, such as Najar Bibi (Mushkil Mia’s wife) and Banalakshmi (an employee who is revealed to be Sunayana). The question of who exactly fits the bill becomes more complex as each clue points to different angles.
A crucial breakthrough comes when Byomkesh discovers a taped recording of Dr. Das playing the sitar in his room during the time of the murders. This contradicts Dr. Das’s alibi and points to him as a key suspect. At the same time, Byomkesh uncovers stolen jewelry and Sunayana’s contract papers hidden in Dr. Das’s possession, and he learns that Banalakshmi is actually the actress Sunayana in disguise. The plastic flower found in Byomkesh’s room unlocks an important inference about the case’s rhythm and the people involved. Through careful deduction, Byomkesh shows that Dr. Das, aided by his wife Banalakshmi, manipulated and exploited her talent for financial gain and orchestrated Murari’s murder to cover up his broader criminal scheme. The final revelation ties together the evidence: Sunayana’s identity, the hidden documents, and the pattern of murders—Sen, Murari, and Panu—exposed as the work of Dr. Das and his wife. In the end, Banalakshmi’s confession clarifies the motive and the mechanism: the couple used Sunayana’s beauty and the front of a literary career to lure victims, while Dr. Das’s intimate acts of plotting ensured the destruction of witnesses and the erasure of incriminating evidence. The case closes with the detective’s unwavering resolve to uncover the truth, even as the shadows of ambition and deception linger over Golap Colony.
Chiriyakhana Timeline: Every Key Event in Order
13 key events in the order they happen, from “Nishanath Sen hires Byomkesh for Sunayana's location” to “Aftermath: motives and identity exposed”. 13 events name a place, across 9 locations.
- 1
Nishanath Sen hires Byomkesh for Sunayana's location
Nishanath Sen, a retired judge and wealthy nursery owner, hires Byomkesh to locate Sunayana, an actress he believes is living under a false identity. He explains that Sunayana may be hiding inside his Golap Colony nursery and that uncovering her could also reveal hidden details about a long-forgotten film. Byomkesh accepts the case and is paid the advance to visit the nursery.
When:Day 0 Where:Byomkesh's office
- 2
Ramen Mullick explains Murari-Sunayana case
Byomkesh meets Bengali film expert Ramen Mullick, who fills in the backstory: Murari, the producer's son, was murdered while Sunayana was with him, and 20,000 rupees plus gold ornaments vanished. Sunayana was the prime suspect and had an arrest warrant, but she disappeared before she could be apprehended. Ramen promises to help Byomkesh with the investigation.
When:Day 1 Where:Ramen Mullick's place
- 3
First field visit to Golap Colony nursery; disguise as Okakura
The next day, Byomkesh and Ajit visit Sen's bungalow and Golap Colony nursery, with Byomkesh in disguise as a Japanese horticulturist named Okakura and Ajit as his Indian assistant. Sen introduces the residents and allows Byomkesh to photograph everyone, building a visual dossier. The visit sets the stage for uncovering motives and identities among the colony's inhabitants.
When:Day 2 Where:Golap Colony nursery
- 4
Sen is murdered before a meeting with Byomkesh
Within a few days, Sen phones Byomkesh to arrange another meeting, but he is bludgeoned to death with a blunt instrument before they can meet. The murder shocks everyone and triggers a fresh police inquiry. Byomkesh and Ajit begin a more intensive interrogation of the nursery's residents.
When:Day 3 Where:Sen's bungalow
- 5
Inspector seeks help; Byomkesh agrees to assist
A police inspector visits the colony and asks for Byomkesh's assistance in solving Sen's murder, unaware of their prior client relationship. Byomkesh agrees to help and starts re-interviewing suspects. The case becomes a complex web of motives and alibis.
When:Day 3 Where:Golap Colony / Sen's nursery
- 6
Interrogations begin; multiple suspects emerge
Over the next few days, Byomkesh and Ajit question every resident and staff member, noting various motives and concealed histories. He records the interrogations with a voice recorder to preserve statements and contradictions. The investigation reveals that many people could have had reason to kill Sen.
When:Day 3-4 Where:Golap Colony
- 7
Panu is murdered; new murder pattern
Another murder occurs inside the Golap Colony: Panu, a deaf-mute witness, is killed in the same manner as Sen. The repetition of the method deepens the mystery and confirms a calculated killer is at work. Byomkesh doubles down on the investigative pressure.
When:Day 5 Where:Golap Colony
- 8
Dr. Das's sitar alibi is questioned by new evidence
Byomkesh discovers a tape recorded in Dr. Das's room that features him playing the sitar during the time of the murders, undermining his stated alibi. He realizes the recording was used as the background during Sen's murder, proving Das was not elsewhere. This is a crucial clue that begins to bend the investigation toward Dr. Das.
When:Day 4-5 Where:Dr. Das's room
- 9
Sunayana's photo-match attempt; Bijoy's motive emerges
As the interrogation continues, Byomkesh examines an old photo of Sunayana and attempts to match it to several women among the suspects, discovering that Bijoy abandoned Mukul in favor of Banalakshmi. The motive hint points toward Bijoy and wealth, but it remains insufficient for a full conclusion. The search tightens.
When:Day 5-6 Where:Byomkesh's room
- 10
Plastic flower clue prompts deeper analysis
A plastic flower found in Byomkesh's room triggers a new line of thinking and helps him re-evaluate appearances and disguises. He uses the clue to push for a more definitive identification of Sunayana among the suspects and to check for concealed relationships. The clue accelerates the unraveling of the truth.
When:Day 6 Where:Byomkesh's room
Show the other 3 events of Chiriyakhana Hide the last 3 events
- 11
Sunayana identified as Banalakshmi through facial change
Byomkesh correlates the evidence and discovers that Sunayana is actually Banalakshmi, a resident and employee of Sen's nursery, who has undergone plastic surgery to alter her face. He notes the jewellery and Sunayana's contracts stored by Dr. Das as further corroboration. This identification rewrites the suspect map.
When:Day 6-7 Where:Byomkesh's room
- 12
Final confrontation: Dr. Das behind the murders; confession
Banalakshmi (Sunayana) finally confesses that Dr. Das exploited her beauty for money and that he orchestrated the murders of Murari, Sen, and Panu to destroy evidence. The couple's pattern of crime is laid bare, with Sunayana implicated in the cover-up while Dr. Das carried out the killings. The revelation closes the circle of deceit around Golap Colony.
When:End Where:Golap Colony / Byomkesh's room
- 13
Aftermath: motives and identity exposed
The investigation ends with the realization that the serial killings were a calculated scheme tied to wealth and identity, exposing how appearances can be crafted to fool even close observers.
When:End Where:Golap Colony
Who Are the Main Characters in Chiriyakhana?
11 characters, among them Byomkesh Bakshi (Uttam Kumar), Ajit Bandyopadhyay (Shailen Mukherjee) and Sunayana (Banalakshmi): who each one is and the part they play in the story. Every profile links to the actor’s page.
- BB
Byomkesh Bakshi (Uttam Kumar)
Played by Uttam Kumar
A brilliant private detective who accepts Nishanath Sen's case and investigates murders across Golap Colony. He disguises himself as a Japanese horticulturist named Okakura and uses a voice recorder to document interrogations, enabling meticulous deduction.
- 🕵️♂️ Detective
- 🧠 Logical
- AB
Ajit Bandyopadhyay (Shailen Mukherjee)
Played by Shailen Mukherjee
Byomkesh's loyal friend and narration partner, who accompanies him in disguise and assists with interviews aboard the investigation.
- 🎭 Companion
- 🧭 Sidekick
- S(
Sunayana (Banalakshmi)
Played by Gitali Roy
An actress central to the mystery; later revealed to be Banalakshmi, the wife of Dr. Das, who underwent plastic surgery to alter her appearance.
- 🎭 Actress
- 🪞 Identity
- DB
Dr. Bhujangadhar Das
Played by Shyamal Ghoshal
A physician and sitarist whose alibi is exposed by a taped recording; revealed as the killer who used Sunayana's disguise to hide his crimes and steal valuables.
- 🧪 Doctor
- 🗝️ Deception
- B
Bijoy
Played by Subhendu Chatterjee
Nishanath Sen's nephew; a potential heir and love interest in the tangled web of relationships, entangled with the estate and Sunayana's past.
- 💼 Relative
- 🕵️♂️ Suspect
- R
Rasiklal
Played by Kalipada Chakraborty
Sen's employee whose actions and motives come under scrutiny as the investigation unfolds.
- 💼 Employee
- 🕵️♂️ Suspect
- MM
Mushkil Mia
Played by Nripati Chatterjee
A resident of Golap Colony whose ties to the case complicate the lineup of suspects; his household is part of the inquiry.
- 🏠 Shelter
- 🧩 Suspense
- PG
Panu Gopal
Played by Chinmoy Roy
A deaf-mute witness who observed the crime and becomes a tragic catalyst for the investigation as similar murder methods reappear.
- 🗣️ Witness
- 🗡️ Murder
- BD
Brajo Das
Played by Bankim Ghosh
An employee who confesses about the relationships surrounding Sen, helping explain the motive behind the murders.
- 💼 Employee
- 🗝️ Confession
- NB
Najar Bibi
Played by Subrata Chattopadhyay
A sheltered woman among the Golap Colony residents; her role contributes to the case's shifting motives and possibilities.
- 👩🦰 Outcast
- 🕵️♂️ Suspect
- IB
Inspector Barat
Played by Asit Baran
The police inspector who requests Byomkesh's help, pushing the investigation forward.
- 👮♂️ Law
- 🧭 Collaboration
Where and When Is Chiriyakhana Set?
Chiriyakhana is set in Golap Colony and 24 Parganas district. Here is why the place matters to the story.
Where
Golap Colony, 24 Parganas district
Golap Colony is a sprawling nursery complex run by Nishanath Sen, featuring a dairy and poultry setup and an orchid house. It serves as both a workplace and a shelter for residents with troubled backgrounds. The investigation unfolds across the nursery's grounds, Sen's bungalow, and the surrounding 24 Parganas area.
- 🌼 Orchid house
- 🐄 Dairy
- 🕊️ Shelter for social outcasts
What Are the Themes of Chiriyakhana?
3 ideas the story keeps returning to, among them Mystery, Deception and Greed & Motive.
-
01
Mystery
The film centers on a layered murder inquiry where Byomkesh gathers testimonies, compares photographs, and analyzes audio evidence to distinguish truth from deception.
-
02
Deception
Identity is fluid—Sunayana's hidden past and Sunayana's disguise as Banalakshmi, along with Byomkesh's own disguise as a horticulturist, drive the plot and mislead characters into false conclusions.
-
03
Greed & Motive
Murder is motivated by wealth, inheritance, and complex romantic entanglements. Suspects attempt to manipulate the Sen estate and Sunayana's jewels, creating a web of competing interests that Byomkesh must untangle.
What Kind of Film Is Chiriyakhana?
Tense in tone, with steady pacing and a moderate story, going by the plot summary.
- Tone
- Tense
- Pacing
- Steady
- Story
- Moderate
- Intensity
- Medium
- Ending
- Happy
A tense and methodical detective drama that follows a meticulous investigation into a murder, creating a suspenseful atmosphere where deduction gradually unravels a web of hidden motives.
- suspenseful
- methodical
- mysterious
- atmospheric
- unsentimental
- crime investigation
- murder mystery
- hidden identity
- deception
- greed
Content notes: murder.
Quiz
How well do you remember Chiriyakhana? Test yourself on the story.
